By Joel B. Belinan
When it rains it pours”. As what Mountain Province folks here in Baguio-Benguet say, “Dakayo ay iBesao, nu waday matey kendakayo, dakayyoet mensasaruno.” The problem in the past two weeks was many from the Agawa area (or the five barangays of Northern Besao), about six or more people, passed away.
The saddest thing is that two of them were from our family while one was a close relative. On May 31, we buried my Elder sister (Elsie) at Pyramid Memorial-Buyagan, La Trinidad. She passed away last May 26 after battling with the Big C since the middle of last year. She is survived by her husband, 4 children and two grandchildren.
Earlier on May 28, 2022, my brother-in-law, Bartolomeo (Bantol) Okyo, the husband of my eldest sister Marcela, was brought home and buried in Lacmaan, Besao where he was born. He was for a few years a father figure to me and my youngest brother as we stayed under their guardianship after my father’s death at the age of 50. I was barely 13 years old then while my younger brother Douglas was 11. Manong Bantol suffered a heart attack on May 24 when he went down to visit their daughter in Tubao, La Union. He was rushed to a hospital in nearby Agoo, La Union but was declared dead on arrival. He is survived by his wife, three children, and two grandchildren.
Earlier this May 21, a grand nephew of mine passed away and was buried on May 25 in Sablan, Benguet. Sadly, he was just in his mid-20s. At that time, the wake of three Iyagawa were being held in different areas. One at a funeral home in the city, another at the Resurrection Chapel and the third at Quirino Hill. There was also the passing away of an elderly lady from a prominent family in Besao Proper whose wake was at their residence in Betag, La Trinidad, Benguet.
Most of the Besao folks especially the Iyagawa were sleepless this month as they were attending wakes night after night while Anglican priests were spread thinly administering the last rites for these dear departed who all belonged to the Anglican church.
Wakes are not necessarily sad occasions especially when the deceased were old. These can be opportunities to meet long lost relatives and friends. Unfortunately, in the case of the three members of our family, the eldest who was my brother-in-law was just 66 while my elder sister was just 56, and my grandnephew barely reached adulthood. Their wakes were very sad occasions.
The only consolation for us was our kakailian (compatriots) and relatives, ever since I could remember, were always there whenever such events happen. Their presence is always comforting to the bereaved. And that is what many lowlanders envy about us Igorots, especially the iBesaos. **
Death is the greatest equalizer, so they say. This is because no matter what one’s status is while alive, sooner or later, he will end up just an ordinary physical body. The most important thing is when that time comes we would be ready. Hopefully. That readiness should be in three spheres: physically, mentally, and spiritually. Physically, means we have already performed our obligations. Mentally, refers to our having satisfied our longings. And we should be confident we have done our spiritual duties for ourselves. Such definitions are just mine based on my understanding of the Philosophy of Ananda Marga (the Path of Bliss) as taught by our guru Shrii Ananda Murtii. Many will surely have different opinions though. I just hope that when it would be my time, I would be ready, at least, to the barest minimum.
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